MOTHER LILY AND ALFIE LORENZO IN A SHOUTING MATCH

MANILA -- Tension gripped a media gathering on Thursday for the romantic-comedy film "Somebody to Love" when talent manager Alfie Lorenzo and Regal Films matriarch Lily Monteverde had a bitter exchange in the presence of entertainment press.

The confrontation was reportedly triggered when Lorenzo called the movie's director Jose Javier Reyes "malas" (unlucky). Lorenzo and Reyes had a rift in 2012 over the talent manager's ward, actress Judy Ann Santos, agreeing to do a film with the director allegedly without his consent.

The verbal spat between Lorenzo and Monteverde eased when security came to escort the talent manager out of the venue, which is owned by the film producer.

Before the start of the press conference, which doubled as a celebration for Monteverde's birthday, she expressed dismay with Lorenzo's behavior and urged members of the press not to be "scared" of him.

Thank you, Mother Lily Monteverde. Thank you.

— Joey Javier Reyes (@DirekJoey) August 14, 2014

On Twitter, Reyes thanked Monteverde following the confrontation. "Thank you, Mother Lily Monteverde. Thank you," he said.

Speaking with ABS-CBN News, Lorenzo said he will wait for the right time to talk to Monteverde, when they are both no longer emotional. He added that he hopes Monteverde will remember to be grateful for the things he has done.